Songs about the Cross
Who in their right mind would sing about an instrument of execution? We do! Because it was there that Jesus won the victory for us over sin and death. It was there that both God the Father and Jesus displayed and proved their unending love for us! Enjoy these songs both old and new: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "At the Cross (Hillsong)", "The Old Rugged Cross", "Were You There", "Lift High the Cross" and "At Calvary."
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Isaac Watts, pub.1707; Copyright: Public Domain; Scripture: Galatians 6:14
Enjoy it at YouTube performed by Kathryn Scott
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When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
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Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
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See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
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Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
At the Cross (Hillsong)
Reuben Morgan, Darlene Joyce Zschech
Enjoy it at YouTube performed by Hillsong
Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me
Refrain:
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me
Refrain:
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done
And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me
Refrain: (repeat)
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done
The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard, 1913; Copyright: Public Domain; Scripture: Luke 9:23-24; Hebrews 13:12-13; Galatians 6:14
Enjoy it at YouTube performed by Brad Paisley
And Alan Jackson
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On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
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Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
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In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
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To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Were You There
African American Spiritual, published in 1899 Old Plantation Hymns
Enjoy it at YouTube performed by Johnny Cash
and by Marion Williams
or by Mahalia Jackson
or Willie Nelson
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (Were you there?)
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
The Chancel Choir
1. Led on their way
By this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God
In conquering ranks combine.
Refrain:
Lift high the cross
The love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world
Adore His sacred name.
2. Each newborn servant
Of the Crucified
Bears on the brow
The seal of Him who died.
3. O Lord, once lifted
On the glorious tree,
As Thou hast promised
Draw the world to Thee.
4. So shall our song
Of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified
For victory.
At Calvary
William R. Newell, pub.1895; Copyright: Public Domain; Scripture: Luke 23:33
Enjoy it at YouTube performed by Lynda Randle
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Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.
Refrain:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.
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By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.
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Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary!
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Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!
Explore More about Jesus
Scriptures on the Cross Just as you would expect, there are tons of scriptures which speak about the salvation won for us at the cross. This selection is organized under the three main headings: 1) as Victor are listed those scriptures that carry the idea of ransoming the captives, of purchasing our redemption, or of defeating the enemy; 2) as Victim, those that point to Jesus as sacrificial offering, as propitiating the wrath of God, as justifying believers; and as Vision, those where the emphasis is on the inward effect upon believers through what they see that Jesus has accomplished for them or modeled for them.
His Triumphant Resurrection Without the resurrection we have no religion worth shouting about, no hope of heaven, no escape from our sins or our sin nature. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we wouldn’t have a living and Risen Lord to know and to follow. Without His resurrection we wouldn’t even know how powerful a victory was won by Him at the cross. Where would our faith be then? Funny thing is, it was the one thing He didn’t do…
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